We live in an era dominated by performative hypocrisy, where so many people put on a grand show for the world, only to reveal their true colours, or lack thereof, behind closed doors. Take those “religious” folks who parade their piety in public, quoting scriptures and attending services with fervour, making sure everyone sees their devotion. But the moment the spotlight fades, out of sight and away from judgment, that faith evaporates like delicate threads of gossamer caught in the wind, leaving nothing but empty rituals and hollow words.
It’s the same disheartening story with politicians Make a spectacle of unwavering commitment to human rights to paint yourself as a champion of justice and equality, but principles matter in the face of real challenges or controversy, dedication vanishes into thin air. Actions speak louder than words and in his case, the silence is deafening.
Canberra’s Human Rights Charade
It’s rubbish when people claim there’s no discrimination against Indigenous people in Australia, there absolutely is, and plenty of it. Some is subtle, some not so subtle, but either way, it’s pervasive and real. I’ve been fighting to bring attention to this for over two decades, and it’s high time we stop pretending it doesn’t exist.
Let me break it down, because this isn’t just abstract talk; it’s rooted in real, documented issues at the highest levels of the ACT government. We’re talking systemic racism that touches everything from hiring and firing to how complaints are handled (or ignored). At the centre of what I’ve been highlighting is a pattern of bias that protects those in power while sidelining Indigenous voices.
Take the current Auditor-General Mike Harris, for instance. Back when these events were unfolding, he was the Chief Executive of the Chief Minister’s Department. This was during a time when serious human rights violations were alleged, including against Tu Pham, who was the subject of a human rights application. At the time of the alleged violations, Pham was the Chief Executive of ACT Treasury. Mrs Pham was overseeing a department that should have been a watchdog but instead became the problem. She was also the one who, on the basis of a fraudulent public interest disclosure, sacked the Indigenous staff member. That staff member was in the process of taking her to the Human Rights Commission over these very issues.
When this Indigenous staff member raised the matters with the Ombudsman’s office, what happened? They were straight-up told that since the people he was complaining about were the same ones who’d have to investigate his complaint, there was “absolutely zero chance” it would be actioned. Zero. Chance. That’s not justice – that’s a rigged system designed to protect the powerful. And that’s exactly what played out. The rule of law has to apply equally to everyone, or it doesn’t apply to anyone at all. We can’t have one set of less favourable rules for Indigenous Australians and another for everyone else.
But it doesn’t stop there. These issues also implicated the then ACT Treasurer Ted Quinlan, and more significantly, the then ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope. Stanhope has long positioned himself as a human rights crusader, championing causes far and wide. But when the human rights spotlight turned on him and his administration? Poof – his commitment evaporated into thin air. It’s easy to talk up human rights when it’s not your own backyard, but true leadership means holding yourself accountable too.
This isn’t about isolated incidents; it’s a network of entrenched bias that allows racism to flourish unchecked. Indigenous people in government roles – or anywhere, really – face barriers that others don’t, from subtle exclusions to outright sabotage of their careers and complaints.
We can’t ignore or downplay this systemic bias any longer. It’s not just “history” or “old news”, it’s ongoing, and it affects real lives, families and communities. Australia prides itself on being a fair go nation, but for Indigenous people that fair go is too often denied. It’s time for real accountability: independent investigations, transparent reforms, and consequences for those who’ve abused their positions. No more excuses, no more cover-ups. Let’s demand better, for Indigenous Australians and for the integrity of our institutions.
NB: All of the material covered in the attached video has been through the courts, and it was all put into court by the ACT government or it’s agencies, so the ACT government cannot deny knowledge and it cannot deny liability.
